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SNOW PATROL

SPOT TO SKI: WHITE PASS

Elevation 4,500 to 6,000 feet; average snowfall 42 feet; usual snow cover 10-20 feet; skiers last year 35,000; season Jan. 1 to April 30

Some of the best snow country in the U.S. was opened this weekend when White Pass, Washington started up the longest lift in the Northwest—a mile-long double chair which takes 12 minutes to shoot skiers from a warming lodge and cafeteria just off Highway 5 up 1,500 vertical feet to Pig Tail Peak (right). Five trails run down from Pig Tail, three of them expert (Midway Cutoff, 1 mile; Roller Coaster, 1.4 miles; Chair Lift Line, 1 mile). Cascade trail is built for intermediates but is no easy run. The beginner can ride clear to the top and take Holiday for a gentle three-mile run back. The base has an 85-acre open slope which has a fast ‚Öì-mile Pomalift running the length of it. White Pass usually has six inches of powder on top of a solid base through April. Tips: Nearest overnight lodgings are at Packwood, 20 miles west. Yakima (53 miles east) has a large choice of lodgings, from the penthouse rooms of the Chinook Hotel to handy motels. Rental skis are available at White Pass. Area operates Wednesdays and weekends only.

SKIING COAST TO COAST

TD-top slopes, depth in inches; BD-bottom slopes, depth in inches; CR-ski crowd last weekend; SN-inches of snowfall last weekend

•FAR WEST

White Pass, Wash.: Snow drought reduced usual snow level here last weekend. Fair skiing on Cascade, others poor. Newspaper ski school postponed to Jan. 26. TD 36, BD 24, CR 500.

Mt. Baker, Wash.: Only trail closed is chute, skiing good. Warm Rossee quilted parkas popular. TD 73, BD 89, CR 2,600, SN 21.

Mt. Hood, Ore.: Skiing excellent on Magic Mile last weekend. TD 56, BD 49, CR 4,500, SN 6.

Squaw Valley, Calif.: Skiing best in Third Bowl after weekend snow. Rest of area was fair to poor. Tram and Flying Saucer closed. TD 20 to 27, BD 12, CR 500, SN 3.

Sugar Bowl, Calif.: Skiing on upper Meadows good, Donald Duck best on Disney. Patsy Nast and Buck Thys made best score in Sugar Bowl team trials. TD 24-36, BD 12, CR 500, SN 1.

Mammoth Mt., Calif.: Packed powder over whole mountain last weekend. TD 40-48, BD 30-40, CR 2,500, SN 15.

Yosemite, Calif.: Runs excellent, south slope closed. Most popular wood skis are Kneissl and Kaestle. TD 18, BD 17, CR 1,800, SN 7.

Other Ski Spots: Reno, Nev.: Freemont and Bonanza opened. TD 8-14, BD 4-8, CR 30, SN 1. Heavenly Valley, Calif.: Skiing poor. TD 6-12, BD 1-6, CR 60, SN 2. Snoqualmie Pass, Wash.: Lift closed, Poma ran. TD 11-12, BD 10, CR 1,000, SN 4-5. Stevens Pass, Wash.: Excellent. TD 55-56, BD 50, CR 1,500, SN 3-4.

•WEST

Sun Valley, Idaho: Skiing good, but some bare spots showing. Loris Werner showing great promise at National Ski Association training camp. Mt. Baldy TD 24, Roundhouse 20, Dollar 8-16, Valley Floor 8.

Santa Fe, N. Mex.: Conditions good. TD 15-25, BD 12-18, CR 1,300, SN 10.

Taos, N. Mex.: Skiing good on all trails. Indian dancers providing after-ski entertainment. TD 45-50, BD 18-20, CR 400, SN 14.

Alta, Utah: Skiing excellent on deep powder snow, especially good on Peruvian Bowl, Rustler and Wildcat. Snow Cup race here Jan. 19, 20. TD 49, BD 49, CR 600, SN 14.

Brighton, Utah: New snow covered mountain. TD 53, BD 50, CR 2,100, SN 14.

Aspen, Colo.: Skiing excellent on packed powder last weekend. Bell Mt. and Seibert closed for avalanche control work. Quilted parkas leading item. TD 44, BD 23, CR 375, SN 10.

Other Ski Spots: Hidden Valley, Colo.: Excellent. Lower two closed. TD 38, BD 9, CR 300, SN 12. Arapahoe Basin, Colo.: Good. TD 32-42, BD 30-32, CR 1,000, SN 7. Winter Park, Colo.: Cramner excellent. TD 21-34, BD 19, CR 2,500, SN 6-9.

•MIDWEST

Boyne Mt., Mich.: All slopes good. J-bar will reopen this weekend. Bogner scarlet pants in fashion. TD 12-18, BD 18-20, CR 450, SN 25.

Terry Peak, S. Dak.: New snow made skiing good. TD 30, BD 38, Bunny 35, CR 750, SN 5.

Rib Mt., Wis.: Birch Run, Duskey excellent. Corduroy knickers making appearance here. TD 4-6, BD 4-7, CR 1,150, SN 2.

•EAST

Stowe, Vt.: Mansfield good, with some ice and bare spots, Sterling good to excellent last weekend. TD 30, BD 24, CR 1,200, SN 6-8.

Big Bromley, Vt.: Hard pack holding its own against crowds. Bill Beck took Orvis trophy. TD 4-16, BD 4-13, CR 2,000, SN 4.

Mt. Snow, Vt.: Skiing good. New South Bowl very popular. TD 15-30, BD 12-20, CR 3,000, SN 6.

Cannon Mt., N.H.: Cannon and Taft open. Winners in Franconia club races: Jon Riisnaes, jump; Bill Beck, giant slalom. TD 4-25, BD 4-15, CR 1,600, SN 5.

Belknap, N.H.: All trails open. Skiers wearing knickers with pattern knee socks. TD 12, BD 7, CR 5,000, SN 0.

Cranmore, N.H.: Good packed powder skiing last weekend. Schneider excellent. Ledges closed. TD 7-16, BD 7-16, CR 6,000, SN 2.

Black Mt., N.H.: Good to excellent. Leo Massa won annual Jackson cross country. TD 6-26, BD 6-26, CR 700, SN 4.

Sugarloaf, Me.: Lower mountain good, upper lift closed. BD 6-28, TD 0-48, CR 1,500, SN 3.

Snow Ridge, N.Y.: Trail skiing excellent. State meet Jan. 19, 20. TD 15, BD 6, CR 2,200, SN 5.

Lac Beauport, Que.: All tows and lifts operating. TD 26, BD 23, CR 1,000, SN 5.

Mont Tremblant, Que.: Skiing excellent. TD 9-24. BD 4-16, CR 3,000, SN 6.

Other Ski Spots: Laurel Mt., Pa.: Fair. TD 4-8, BD 2-6, CR 1,200, SN 2. Okemo, Vt.: Expert trail closed. TD 12, BD 8, CR 600, SN 3. Pico Peak, Vt.: TD 6-15, BD 6-15, CR 750, SN 4; Dutch Hill, Vt.: Ample base. TD 20, BD 16, CR 1,600, SN 4; Bousquets, Mass.: Russell excellent, 18. Jiminy Peak, Mass.: Good base. TD 6-14, BD 4-10, CR 1,100, SN 2.

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